Blog posts

How does the SSA Evaluate Emotional Stress in a Claim?

Submitted by John on

An application for Social Security Disability (SSD) can be entirely based on a disabling, stress related disorder, or can have an emotional stress component which exacerbates a physical disability. In either case, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will want to see specific documentation in your application related to the emotional stress condition you have. They will also apply standard evaluation criteria when examining your claim for SSD benefits.

How Does the SSA Define and Evaluate Pain?

Submitted by John on

It can be almost impossible to measure pain. Pain is subjective in nature, after all. What one person finds to be excruciating another person may be able to tolerate. So when a person is disabled due to pain, how does the Social Security Administration determine whether or not that person is disabled according to the SSA guidelines? Exactly how does the SSA define and evaluate pain when pain is so subjective and varies from one person to the next? How can a disability examiner know if you are telling the truth?

Good Reasons to Postpone Your Disability Hearing

Submitted by John on

Most Social Security Disability applicants wait months if not years for the date of their disability hearing to arrive, and spend considerable time preparing for their hearing. It goes without saying that postponing a hearing is not something anyone wants to do. To make matters worse, if you do miss your hearing and you don’t have a very good reason for doing so, the Administrative Law Judge overseeing your case may decide to deny your disability benefits.